NHL free agents: Who can help the Ducks?

The Ducks need to get better in a number of areas to avoid missing the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Click on the photo for a slideshow of free agents who might help the Ducks.FILE PHOTOS

Remember last year's NHL free agent class, with such potential difference-makers as Joel Ward and Ville Leino? For the most part they didn't work out very well, and they often don't, in a sport that relies so much on chemistry and hunger.

The Ducks need to get better in a number of areas to avoid missing the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Free agency is one tool, although most teams have tied up the players they want to keep. If the Ducks let all their free agents go (except for Teemu Selanne) they would pick up about $12 million in cap space. A guy like Sheldon Brookbank, who made $800,000 in '11-'12 but had an excellent year, might price himself out of town.

There are some valuable properties out there, however, and the Ducks know they can't fill their needs through the draft or through trades exclusively. Here's a look at some of the most interesting commodities. This list does not include restricted free agents, or players like Nicklas Lidstrom who obviously will re-sign with the Red Wings or retire.

The Ducks need to get better in a number of areas to avoid missing the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Click on the photo for a slideshow of free agents who might help the Ducks. FILE PHOTOS
RYAN SUTER: Nashville's defenseman was third in the league in time-on-ice at over 26 minutes per game and that number has crept into the 27s in the playoffs. Paired with Shea Weber, Suter is a quick puck-mover and plays physically enough. There might be questions about how well he'll do outside the Predators system, but Suter will command big, bug bucks in the free agent market. CARLOS OSORIO, AP PHOTO, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
ALEXANDER SEMIN: Semin's production has fallen from 40 to 21 goals in a two-year span. Some look at his moodiness and lack of physical strength, others point to Washington's adoption of a defensive system. Semin, 28, has extraordinary playmaking ability. He made $6.7 million last season and probably won't settle for less. Wonder what Bruce Boudreau thinks? ELISE AMENDOLA, AP PHOTO, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
SHANE DOAN: Sure, he turns 37 in the fall. He also had 22 goals for Phoenix, a 3-year high for him. He also remains the ultimate captain, a physical warrior and locker room presence who has gotten the Coyotes through difficult times and into the playoffs for three consecutive years. Ten times in his career he has played 79 or more games in a season. But would he leave the Phoenix franchise, which he joined when it was in Winnipeg? ROSS D. FRANKLIN, AP PHOTO, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
JASON GARRISON: This guy might be the best free-agent buy around. Certainly Garrison, left, gave more bang for the buck than most NHL players this year, scoring 16 goals for Florida while making $700,000. That was a franchise record for a Panthers defenseman. At 6-foot-2 Garrison can handle himself physically but also has puck and skating skills. Was his 12-goal increase over the year before a fluke? Someone will pay to find out. Sounds ideal for the Ducks. PAT CARTER, AP PHOTO, MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGITER
DUSTIN PENNER: Although Penner has become something of a synonym for underachievement over the past few years, the Ducks have to remember how he fit in so nicely with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry in 2007. Yes, that was a while ago, but perhaps the peer pressure will keep Penner interested. Lately he has shown the skill and even some fire for the Kings. He has nine goals in 84 games with L.A., which isn't expected to try to re-sign him. Penner shouldn't count on making $4.25 million again next season. BY CHRIS O'MEARA, AP PHOTO, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
SHELDON SOURAY: It was a year of redemption for Souray, who was plus-11 for the Stars after spending the previous year in the AHL. Souray was better at the start than the finish, however. At 36 he can still fire the puck from the blue line and he brings physicality. He also is making just $1.7 million and might be affordable for a team that needs defensemen. Anybody come to mind? TONY GUTIERREZ, AP PHOTO, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
JARRET STOLL: His six goals for the Kings were a career low, puzzling because Stoll figured to blossom against lesser players now that Mike Richards was there to take on the big lines. Stoll is still a terrific face-off man and plays the 2-way game for a centerman. If the Ducks are looking for a second line center Stoll might be worth considering, especially if they can sign him for less than his $4.5 million haul this season. He's only 29. MARK HUMPHREY, AP PHOTO, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
MATT CARLE: The Alaskan was plus-30 in 2010-11 but only plus-four last year. That is directly attributable to the fact that Carle's defense partner, future Hall of Famer Chris Pronger, was injured. Carle has a few things to bring on his own, including good skating ability. But he doesn't score that much or show much muscle. GENE J. PUSKAR, AP PHOTO, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
HAL GILL: The key numbers for Gill are his height (6-foot-7) and age (37). But when you haven't ever had a step to lose, the years can be kinder to you, and Gill is doing what he's always done, except this time for the Predators. Gill's wingspan and strength can alter an offense. Again, the Ducks aren't as hard to play against as they once were. Gill would help. MIKE STRASINGER, AP PHOTO, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
BRYCE SALVADOR: New Jersey's 6-foot-3 defenseman didn't score a goal this year but was plus-18. He was injured and missed all of 2010-11. Salvador is known as a big hitter who doesn't make many mistakes. A guy like him would be a nice complement to Cam Fowler. MEL EVANS, AP PHOTO, MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
P.A. PARENTEAU: A former 9th round draft choice by the Ducks, Parenteau has scored 15 power play goals over the past two seasons and 38 overall.. The right winger only made $1.25 million last year and could be a free agent market commodity. However, Parenteau has repeatedly said he wants to stay with the Islanders, and the two are already talking contract. AP PHOTO, KATHY KMONICEK, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
RAY WHITNEY: Don't tell the Ducks that 40-year-olds can't score. Whitney, who has burned them a few times, could join Teemu Selanne as they reminisce about the old days without iPads and high-def. Whitney, who turns 40 in the off-season, had 24 goals for the Coyotes, most since 2008. He also had 77 points and was a plus-28. He made $3 million from the Coyotes, who face another uncertain off-season. ROSS D FRANKLIN, AP PHOTO, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
DENNIS WIDEMAN: Wideman is a little pricey at $4.5 million and it's a matter of how much Washington wants to bring him back. He is strictly an offensive presence who had nine power play goals in 2010-11. But he's not the guy to stay home and muffle the top scorers, and the Ducks already have a few like him. Still, Wideman did play for Bruce Boudreau in Washington. MATT SLOCUM, AP PHOTO, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
JONAS GUSTAFSSON: There are some interesting goaltenders in the market (Martin Biron, Josh Harding, Johan Edberg, Chris Mason) and Vancouver's Cory Schneider is a restricted free agent. But Gustavsson is eye-catching merely because he is 6-foot-3. "The Monster" hasn't been able to nail down the starting job in Toronto. He did have a .902 save percentage last year. WINSLOW TOWNSON, AP PHOTO, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
JIRI HUDLER: Hudler had a career high 25 goals, plus 25 assists, for the Red Wings. It's normally difficult to get somebody away from Detroit if Ken Holland really wants him back. Hudler made $3 million last year but he is only 28, and some team might be buying his best years. He can play either wing. The drawback is that he's only 5-foot-10. AP PHOTO, MARK HUMPHREY, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
ANDREW BRUNETTE: At 38 he'll be fishing for one last contract, after slumping to 12 goals for Chicago this season. But only two years ago Brunette scored 25 for the Wild. He has 268 career goals and is known for being able to finish at the net. BY CHARLES REX ARBOGAST, AP PHOTO, MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
TORREY MITCHELL: Mitchell, left, often injured, played 76 games this season for the Sharks, his most since 2008. It was also 10 more games than he played the year before, but he scored the same nine goals. Mitchell is known for his speed but has had trouble translating that into production. A penalty-killer, face-off guy, at $1.7 million last year. AP PHOTO, ROSS D. FRANKLIN, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
PAUL GAUSTAD: The Ducks have needed a defensive centerman and Gaustad might be a candidate. He's 6-foot-5 and quite physical, as he's shown since Buffalo traded him to the Predators at the deadline. He's a former 7th-roud pick who has had four double-digit goal seasons for the Sabres. The Ducks need net presence and an ornery spirit. Gaustad, who made $2.5 million last year, might be worth considering. CARLOS OSORIO, AP PHOTO, BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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